BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - RESIDENTS of St. Kitts and Nevis are being advised to remain calm as the earth tremor experienced earlier this afternoon (July 4) is not cause for alarm.

Some were sitting in their offices, some making their way to their respective homes, while others were enjoying the comfort of their abode when the earthquake struck.

It was about 5:30 p.m. when - as some explained – they felt the tremor and observed the items around them begin to shake. Reports which reached this media house suggest that during the earthquake - which lasted some seven seconds – some ran to the nearest doorway and stood therein while others did the “DCH”, Drop, Cover and Hold.

This publication understands that the quake may have also been felt in Anguilla, the US Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe and Barbados.

National Disaster Coordinator attached to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Carl Herbert confirmed that an earthquake was experienced on St. Kitts but indicated that specifics about its magnitude and epicentre have not yet been communicated to NEMA.

“I can confirm that an earthquake was felt on St. Kitts somewhere around 5:25 or there about. What I can indicate is that the Seismic Research Centre at St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago is our point of reference…they have the expertise and the authority to advise as to where the epicentre was. So, we can’t determine that here from St. Kitts.

“I just want to remind residents that we do experience earthquakes from time to time. It is not a sign that there is going to be any further activity. We don’t know! That can only be determined after an assessment by the Seismic Research Centre and their advisement accordingly.”

Herbert said he did not receive any report of damage or injury resulting from the quake, and advised that “there is no need for alarm”.

He explained to SKNVIbes that the Seismic Research Centre is expected to issue a bulletin from which information about the quake’s location etc. would be acquired.

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